Design of reflectors for a canal top solar power plant

Renewable energy sources are the best alternative for fossil fuels. Solar energy is a major renewable energy source for future due to its wide availability, clean and non polluting nature. But the installation of solar project requires large area of land. Canal top project virtually eliminates the requirement of acquiring large area of land and also reduces the evaporation of water due to direct sunlight falling on it. Canal top solar projects have already been successfully implemented in various parts of Gujarat. Use of reflectors in the inter array spacing of canal top project can increase the amount of radiation reaching the panel. Besides this reduces the water evaporation loss through the inter array spacing. By concentrating the solar radiation to the panel, power output of the system increases. This paper focus on the design of canal top solar panels with booster reflectors.